We present a challenge for long-term couples who appreciate horror films: Sit down with your significant other and view Together. The 2025 indie hit has now made its launch on a streaming platform on the Hulu service. At first glance, it might appear like standard body horror, but inside Together exists a intense meditation about our choices in loving each other.
A Directorial Debut Delving into Partnership Complexities
Together is the debut feature-length film for filmmaker Michael Shanks. It features actors Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple named Tim and Millie, partners that have remained a couple for ten years. Having wed in reality in 2017, Franco and Brie contribute a special spark to their roles, masterfully depicting both the good and bad of a long-term relationship.
The story starts when the couple relocate from the metropolis to the rural area for her career. A commonly used narrative setup, sure, but that’s largely where the conventions cease. Together evolves into as much a examination of mental states of the couple's dynamic as it is a body horror flick.
A Supernatural Catalyst
While hiking near their country house, a violent storm occurs, and the protagonists tumble into an subterranean cavern. After spending the night there and managing to escape, a mysterious influence starts to affect the duo. This force compels a supernatural closeness between them that goes far beyond typical partnership.
The whole movie is a slow burn fright fest, blending moments of hallucinatory nightmares, disturbing (but not excessively graphic) body horror, and authentically humorous interactions (sometimes amidst something disturbing). The director skillfully blends these components expertly and presents them in a gradually swelling aura of dread.
Nuanced Portrayals
A large part of Together is only Brie and Franco, and they skillfully illustrate numerous complexities to the characters’ relationship. Millie’s confidence and emotional bond is deteriorating due to a distance. Her subconscious resentment of Tim for his hesitance to pursue anything but his failing musical ambitions slowly bubbles to the surface.
Conversely, Tim experiences isolation and cut off by Millie, who’s the impetus they’ve left the city and distant from his support system. He is terrified of the concept of utterly sacrificing his sense of self in another person. This fear is further exacerbated by the fact he lacks a driver's license and needs Millie for transportation.
The director's cleverest decision in this movie never makes Tim or Millie the clear bad guy.
Both characters face the kind of problems that are inherent in long-term unions over a long period. Deep down, they continue to care for each other. They find humor with each other, comfort one another, and are vulnerable at times. But under the surface, there’s an unavoidable feeling of questioning about their relationship.
Thematic Depth
While the paranormal elements in Together symbolize these anxieties of unhealthy attachment and totally devoting oneself to another person, the symbolism does not come across as overly obvious or self-important. Instead, these visceral horror elements offer a brilliant analogue to the character-driven drama. Both the supernatural and the personal enhance each other symbiotically.
A Divisive Ending
Together’s ending, which remains unspoiled, has left audiences divided on the movie's final takeaway about codependent relationships. Reports indicate that those not in relationships have understood the narrative as a compelling reason for avoiding commitment. Conversely, some couples who were in conflict found that the film ultimately assisted them resolve their issues.
Regardless of your relationship status, your own reaction could potentially serve as a telling indicator of how you perceive partnership. Will the ending plant anxiety and horror, or a positive outlook on love? Will you identify in Tim or Millie and scream at your TV, or simply turn to your other half and state, “We could get through that together”?
Regardless of the outcome, Together is an exploration you can experience today.
Together is currently playing on Hulu's platform at present.
